Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) Vaccination
Planning a hiking, camping or outdoor adventure in parts of Europe or Asia? Depending on your destination and activities, you may benefit from vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Ready Health Clinic in Standish, near Wigan, offers travel health consultations to assess your risk and discuss whether TBE vaccination is right for your trip.
- NHS-trained clinicians
- CQC registered clinic
- Standish, near Wigan & Chorley
What is tick-borne encephalitis?
Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral infection that can affect the brain and central nervous system. It is usually passed on through the bite of an infected tick. In some affected areas, infection can also occur through eating or drinking unpasteurised dairy products from infected animals.
Many infections cause no symptoms or only a mild illness. Some people develop inflammation of the brain or its surrounding tissues, which can cause serious illness and sometimes long-term neurological problems.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for TBE. Vaccination can help protect people at risk, and avoiding tick bites remains an important part of prevention.
How TBE illness can develop
When symptoms do occur, there is often a flu-like phase with fever, tiredness, headache and aching muscles. Some people then improve before a second phase that can affect the nervous system, with symptoms such as severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion or weakness.
If you feel unwell after a tick bite or after travelling to a risk area, seek medical advice and say where you have been.
Where is tick-borne encephalitis found?
TBE occurs in parts of central, eastern and northern Europe and across Russia into parts of Asia. Risk varies significantly between countries, and between regions within the same country.
Places ticks are most likely to be found
- Forests and woodland
- Forest edges and clearings
- Long grass, meadows and other tick habitats
- Some parks and recreational areas within affected regions
Season matters. Risk is often greater during the warmer months when ticks are most active, broadly spring to autumn in much of Europe, although local patterns vary.
Not every part of an affected country carries the same risk. Check the latest destination advice on TravelHealthPro and talk through your route at a travel health consultation.
Do I need a TBE vaccine before travelling?
TBE vaccination may be recommended for travellers whose destination and activities place them at increased risk. You may benefit from an assessment if you plan to:
- Hike or trek in forested or rural areas where TBE occurs
- Camp or spend long periods outdoors in affected regions
- Cycle, hunt, fish or take part in other activities that bring you into contact with ticks
- Work in forestry, agriculture or other outdoor jobs in a risk area
- Stay in an affected area for an extended period or return regularly
- Work in a laboratory where exposure to the TBE virus is possible
Vaccination is not routinely recommended for every visitor to every affected country. The decision is based on current country-specific guidance, the places you will visit, your activities and your likely level of exposure.
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TBE vaccines available in the UK
TBE vaccines used in the UK are inactivated vaccines given by injection into the upper arm. There are two licensed formulations:
- Adult formulation: for adults and adolescents aged 16 years and over
- Children's formulation: for children aged 1 year to under 16 years
The right product depends on your age, medical history and circumstances. Your clinician checks the current product information and UK guidance before vaccinating, and will confirm availability when you book.
Is it on the NHS?
TBE vaccination for travel is not usually available on the NHS, so most travellers arrange it privately through a travel clinic.
TBE vaccination schedule
TBE vaccination normally involves a primary course of three doses. The conventional schedule is:
- 1First doseDay 0
- 2Second doseUsually 1 to 3 months after the first
- 3Third doseUsually 5 to 12 months after the second
- +BoostersFirst booster usually 3 years after the third dose
If you are travelling soon
An accelerated schedule, where the second dose is brought forward to around two weeks after the first, may be suitable in some circumstances depending on the vaccine product and your age. Your clinician will confirm the correct timing using current UK Health Security Agency guidance and the product information.
What two doses mean
For some travellers, protection for the current tick season may be expected after the first two doses. Two doses do not give the same longer-term protection as completing the full course, so we will plan your third dose and future boosters with you.
When should I arrange TBE vaccination?
Ideally, arrange your travel health consultation several months before departure, especially if you expect to need the full three-dose course. Booking early gives time to assess your destination and activities, give the first doses and plan your follow-up appointments.
If your trip is approaching, do not assume it is too late. A clinician can discuss whether a suitable schedule is available for your circumstances and travel dates.
Book a Travel Health ConsultationPlanning several vaccines?
Your consultation can cover all of your travel health needs at once, so you can plan TBE vaccination alongside any other vaccines or medicines your trip may need.
Does the TBE vaccine provide complete protection?
TBE vaccination provides protection against tick-borne encephalitis, but no vaccine guarantees complete protection. Keep taking steps to avoid tick bites even after vaccination. These steps also help protect against other tick-borne infections, such as Lyme disease, which the TBE vaccine does not prevent.
Cover up
Wear long sleeves and long trousers tucked into socks. Light-coloured clothing makes ticks easier to spot.
Use repellent
Apply an insect repellent suitable for ticks to exposed skin, and consider treating clothing and gear with an appropriate product.
Stick to paths
Keep to the centre of paths where you can, and avoid brushing through long grass and undergrowth.
Check daily
Check your skin, scalp and clothing every day, including behind the knees, the groin and armpits. Check children and pets too.
Remove ticks quickly
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool, grip close to the skin and pull steadily upwards, then clean the area.
Avoid unpasteurised dairy
In risk areas, avoid unpasteurised milk, cheese and other dairy products, which can also carry the virus.
Side effects and suitability
Most side effects are mild and settle within a few days. They can include pain, redness or swelling where the injection was given, headache, tiredness, aching muscles or a raised temperature. Fever is more common in young children after the first dose.
Before vaccination, your clinician will ask about your health, medicines and allergies, and any previous reactions to vaccines.
Tell us if you
- Have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous vaccine or its ingredients
- Have a severe allergy to egg or chicken protein
- Are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Have a weakened immune system or a long-term condition
- Are feeling unwell with a high temperature on the day
What happens at your appointment
Your consultation is a relaxed, unhurried conversation about your trip. Bring your itinerary, travel dates and any previous vaccination records, and we will build a plan around them.
Book a Travel Health ConsultationBook online
Choose a time that suits you for a 15-minute travel health consultation at our Standish clinic.
Talk through your trip
We discuss your destinations, route, activities, travel dates and medical history.
Get a clear plan
If TBE vaccination is appropriate, we explain the schedule and confirm the vaccine cost before you decide.
Vaccinate and record
If you go ahead, we give your vaccine, book any further doses and give you a record for your travels.
TBE vaccine price at Ready Health
We keep pricing clear. Your clinician confirms what your course includes, and the cost of any further doses or boosters you may need, before any vaccine is given.
Travel health consultation
15 minutes with a clinician, including your risk assessment and vaccination plan.
Adult course
Course of 2 doses for adults and adolescents aged 16 and over.
Child course
Course of 3 doses for children aged 1 to under 16 years.
TBE vaccine in Wigan, Standish and Chorley
Ready Health is an independent, CQC-registered clinic at 22 High Street, Standish, Wigan WN6 0HL. All our clinicians are NHS trained and registered with their professional regulator.
We are easy to reach from Wigan, Chorley and the surrounding towns and villages, with appointments you can book online at a time that suits you. Call us on 01257 676 001.
Travellers visit us from
- Standish
- Wigan
- Chorley
- Shevington
- Appley Bridge
- Coppull
- Adlington
- Aspull
- Haigh
- Orrell
- Up Holland
- Skelmersdale
- Parbold
- Euxton
- Leyland
- Horwich
- Westhoughton
- Hindley
- Ince-in-Makerfield
- Ashton-in-Makerfield
Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine FAQs
Do I need a tick-borne encephalitis vaccine for my trip?
Not every traveller does. TBE vaccination is usually considered for people visiting risk areas in parts of Europe or Asia who will spend time in forests, woodland or rural countryside, particularly during the warmer months, or who will stay for long periods or return regularly. A travel health consultation looks at your destination, activities, season and health to decide whether it is appropriate.
How much does the TBE vaccine cost at Ready Health?
The travel health consultation costs £20 for 15 minutes. If vaccination is recommended, an adult course of 2 doses costs £149 and a child course of 3 doses costs £149. Your clinician will confirm what your course includes, and the cost of any further doses or boosters you may need, before any vaccine is given.
How many doses of the TBE vaccine do I need?
The primary course is three doses. The second dose is usually given 1 to 3 months after the first, or sooner on an accelerated schedule where appropriate, and the third dose 5 to 12 months after the second. Your clinician will plan the timing around your travel dates using current UK guidance and the product information.
How long before travel should I get the TBE vaccine?
Ideally book several months before you travel so there is time to complete at least the first two doses before you are exposed to ticks. If your trip is soon, still get in touch: an accelerated schedule may be suitable for your circumstances.
Which TBE vaccine do you use?
The licensed TBE vaccines used in the UK are TicoVac, for people aged 16 years and over, and TicoVac Junior, for children aged 1 year to under 16 years. The clinician will confirm the right product for your age and medical history at your consultation.
Can children have the TBE vaccine?
Yes, a children's formulation is licensed from 1 year of age to under 16 years. Children who will spend time outdoors in risk areas can be assessed. Please call the clinic on 01257 676 001 to arrange an appointment for a child.
How long does protection from the TBE vaccine last?
After the three-dose primary course, a first booster is usually given 3 years after the third dose. Further boosters are then usually given every 5 years, or every 3 years for people aged 60 and over. Your clinician will advise on the right interval for you.
What are the side effects of the TBE vaccine?
Most side effects are mild and short-lived, such as pain, redness or swelling where the injection was given, headache, tiredness, aching muscles or a raised temperature. Fever is more common in young children after the first dose. Serious allergic reactions are very rare, and our clinicians are trained to manage them.
Who should not have the TBE vaccine?
The vaccine is not suitable for anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or to any of its ingredients, or a severe allergy to egg or chicken protein. Vaccination is usually delayed if you have a high fever. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a weakened immune system, the clinician will discuss the risks and benefits with you.
Is the TBE vaccine available on the NHS?
TBE vaccination for travel is not usually available on the NHS, so travellers generally arrange it privately through a travel clinic such as Ready Health.
Can you catch tick-borne encephalitis in the UK?
The TBE virus has been found in ticks in a small number of areas of England, and a few cases are thought to have been acquired in the UK. The UK Health Security Agency considers the risk to the public to be very low, and vaccination is not routinely recommended for activities in the UK.
What should I do if I am bitten by a tick abroad?
Remove the tick as soon as possible using fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool, gripping it close to the skin and pulling steadily upwards. Clean the area and keep an eye on it. Seek medical advice if you develop a fever, flu-like symptoms, a spreading rash, headache or neck stiffness in the weeks after a bite, and mention where you have travelled.
Where is Ready Health and how do I book?
Ready Health is at 22 High Street, Standish, Wigan WN6 0HL, a short drive from Wigan town centre and Chorley. You can book a travel health consultation online at any time or call 01257 676 001.
Book your travel health consultation
£20 for 15 minutes at our Standish clinic. Choose a time below.
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Heading into tick country?
Get personalised advice on TBE vaccination and tick bite prevention before you go.
Book Your Travel Health ConsultationThis page provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Recommendations depend on your destination, activities and health, and follow current UK guidance. Last reviewed October 2026.